BOG LAKE CAMPSITES:
Campsite 1 (#2192) - Site on west side of lake - not shown on some maps
Campsite 2 (#1944) - West most of the three campsites on north shore of lake
Campsite 3 (#1943) - Middle of the three campsites on north shore of lake (was still closed as of 2021 due to fire)
Campsite 4 (#1942) - Eastern most of the three campsites on north shore of lake
Bog Lake is a fairly shallow lake located south of the Isabella River. The lake is a bit of a loner, as the only access to it is directly from BWCA Entry Point 67. There are no other routes from Bog Lake. Bog Lake is a good place to visit on a BWCA day permit or for those looking for a quick weekend trip. Three of the four campsites on the lake were unfortunately in the area affected by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire. The middle and eastern campsite were still closed as of 2015. The west most campsite on the north shore is open, but it is a "minimalist" site.There is a fourth campsite on the lake located on the western shore. It is just south of the burn line on the west side of the lake. A small creek flows out of Bog Lake near this burn line. Campsite is south of the creek.
While Bog Lake has its own entry point, getting from that entry point to the lake is not particularly easy. The portage from the parking lot is 250 rods and it is a rough bit of business. Also, particularly in the spring, the entrance road and the beginning of these portage can be submerged which can mean you may have to extend the portage perhaps an extra quarter mile (80 rods).
Bog Lake receives water from Brush Creek, which flows into the southeast part of the lake. Brush Creek is a short stream and originates at Brush Lake. Bog Lake itself flows out through a small creek to the west, which has its mouth at Mitawan Creek about a mile downstream. Mitawan Creek has its source at Mitawan Lake, not far to the northwest of the small town of Isabella, on Minnesota Highway 1. Mitawan Creek flows to the north and has its mouth at the Isabella River.
The lake supports the usual populations of northern pike and walleye. It's name likely comes from the marsh and bogs that surround the lake.
In 1950 the Northwest Paper Company purchased tracts just east of Bog Lake and commenced logging in the area (Heinselman, 1999).
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 1 – Western Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 234-235.
Heinselman, Miron, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 118.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 215-217.
Exploring Bog Lake
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This is a view of the south end of Bog Lake from the portage. To the right, in the far distance, you can see the north shoreline of Bog Lake that was burned by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire (May 12, 2023).
Similar to view above, but during the summer time and several years earlier (July 10, 2016).
South end of Bog Lake (July 10, 2016).
A look northward (to the right from the portage landing) across Bog Lake. You are standing at the lakes only portage, which leads back to the entry point parking lot (May 12, 2023).
Nearly same perspective as the photo above, but from several years earlier and in a different season (July 10, 2016).
Panning view of the Bog Lake from the south part of the lake. Seen while standing at the entry point portage (July 10, 2016).
